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On the Go... AUSTIN, TEXAS

Governor’s Mansion
By: Ronnie Greenberg The stately and elegant white-
Photos: Joe Hilbers columned, Greek Revival mansion was built
in 1855, and was home to Sam Houston, the
Austin: for the Texan in Everyone first occupant, and the residence of every
Texas Governor after that. The Governor and
Easy to know and a pleasant place his family occupy a private second-floor
to linger, the capitol of Texas was given apartment.
it’s
name by Stephen F. Austin, the “Father University of Texas
of Texas.” An idyllic setting on the north Everything in Texas tends to be big,
bank of the Colorado River, with rich and the University of Texas (UT) is no
blacklands and scenic hills, Austin is exception. UT, the largest public university
definitely on the “in” along with boots in the United States, with over 50,000
and hats. students, is set on a shady, sprawling campus
A mix media of University town, with statues and magnificent fountains.
and an eclectic high tech presence, Austin Piercing the skyline, the 307 foot landmark
is long known for being both down home ‘Watch Tower’ stands as a sentinel for the
and sophisticated, laid-back, but bustling city’s cultural events, opera, musical
with high energy, traditional and avant- production, art exhibits, and the UT
garde at the same time. Performing Art Center.
Glimpse of the Texas capital’s The “Drag” along Guadalupe Street,
colorful past can be seen today in 12 is the popular shopping block of the
historic districts that pay homage to University students.
Austin’s glorious past. Whether you visit
turn-of-the-century neighborhoods, state LBJ Presidential Library and Museum
landmarks or museums, you’ll be walking Surrounded by the larger-than-life
in the footsteps of cattle barons, statesmen, presence of Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), the
bankers, artists, gamblers, scamps and LBJ Presidential Library chronicles the
outlaws that have made their mark on remarkable life and times of the Nation’s
Texas. 36th president and the state’s most renowned
politician. The archives occupy five floors,
Texas State Capital Complex and exhibits include presidential
Set among rolling, tree-shaded memorabilia, a replica of the Oval Office,
lawns scattered with monuments and Presidential Limo, First Lady’s Gallery PHOTO TOP - TEXAS SEAL
canons, the regal pink granite Texas featuring the life of Ladybird Johnson, and Going batty Lower left: Governors Mansion
Capitol, resembles the United States priceless gifts from foreign heads-of-states The Town Lake’s Congress Lower right: Ladybird Johnson & Garden
Capitol, with a Texas flair. The building Avenue Bridge is home to the largest
designed in Renaissance Revival style in Live music capital of the world urban bat colony in the United States.
1888, was recently restored to its majestic Austin self proclaimed live music Just after sunset from April to October, Where to stay
luster. Its impressive dome lights up the capital of the world, caters to music lovers Mexican freetail-bats venture out from Driskill Hotel transcending time
Texas night sky. through its clubs, concert, and TV. Austin crevices in the bridge like a billowing and place, the Driskill, the quiet
The rotunda’s entrance is guarded City Limits- the longest running live music stream of gray smoke. cornerstone of a bustling downtown, has
by statues of notable Texas heroes, program brings rousing performances of captured Austin’s soul for over a century.
General Stephen F. Austin and Sam both musical legend and rising starts to the The 1886 registered landmark was the
Houston, and rises 218 feet above the Gold weekly schedule. Once feared, today Austin’s proud showplace of Colonel Jessie
Star inlaid on the marble floor. Portraits of Tour the famous Austin City Limits bats attract worldwide attention. Bats Driskill, a wealthy cattle baron,
all the Governors of Texas hang along the Studio and be part of the live audience have lived in America since the age of established businessman, and active civic
capitol walls. during the taping. the dinosaurs, and today they rank leader. A favorite of LBJ who had a suite
among our most endangered wildlife. here when he was President.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Congress Ave & Sixth Street Nineteenth century elegance
Museum This area has been revitalized with Recreation begins in the Grand Lobby where finely
The Museum brings to life the trendy restaurants, clubs, shops and art Austin thrives as a recreational polished antiques, a stained glass dome,
passion of Texas pride and grand history galleries that occupy the Victorian and mecca. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to its inlaid marble and original oil paintings,
of the Lone Star State. Located at the native stone buildings. After dark, the streets hike-and-bike trail system, parks, and are integrated with touches of the 21st
Capitol Complex, it has 700 artifacts on are filled with revelers pulsating with nature preserves. Best known is Zilker century.
display and as its jewel treasure, Stephen energy, and reverberating with sounds of Park, in the center of the city. Barton Located at 604 Brezos Street, and
Austin’s diary that he composed both in rock, country, western, swing, blues, tejano Springs, an Austin treasure located in for information and reservations phone:
Spanish and English. Permanent and jazz. Zilkler Park is one of the finest (800)252-9367 or www.driskill.com
collections include the Capitol’s original swimming holes in America: Spring
Goddess of Liberty statue, and Neil Haute cuisine & high spirits fed, its crystalline water is 68 degrees Around the area
Armstrong’s space suit. With Austin’s unique mix of and open year-round for the enjoyment Lady Bird Johnson’s dream of
Featured are a high-tech setting heritages and cultural roots, the choice of of swimmers and sunbathers. dedication to the beauty of Texas is
Texas Spirit Theatre, where Sam Houston restaurants is daunting. Dining hotspots Stroll through an extensive evident in the Lady Bird Wildflower
narrates the Star of Destiny, as historic feature the hippest trends in the restaurant selection of sculpture at the Umlauf Center www.wildflower.org
events come to life with sets, special world, and cravings turn the gamut from Sculpture Gardens, containing more An Austin icon is the rustic
lighting and amazing sound effect. barbecue to Tex-Mex, Southwestern, than 130 works by the late Austin driftwood restaurant The Salt Lick
www.TheStoryofTexas.com International and Contemporary Texas sculptor, Charles Umlauf www.io- Barbeque.www.saltlickbbq.com
cuisine. com/tam/umlauf

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